Lazy Sunday: Shelley Brander of Knit Stars

Lazy Sunday: Shelley Brander of Knit Stars

By Ann Shayne 10/28/18

Dear Kay,

Here you go—click up top for a great conversation between effervescence-in-human-form Kristy Glass and entrepreneur-knitter-quick-thinker Shelley Brander, the founder of Knit Stars, the online seminar for knitters that will premiere its third season on November 22.

Shelley has such a great story about how she came to create Knit Stars, the three-week extravaganza of classes to watch online.

The final opportunity to register for Knit Stars 3.0 (aka the one where we’re teaching a class) is open now but closes at the end of day November 1.

It’s three weeks of online classes (every other day) with 12 teachers and designers who are working at the top of their game.

All online.

All available to you without the need to travel, without the expense of a hotel—but with in-depth teaching and yarns and live chats that will make for a rich experience of learning and inspiration.

Basically, it’s a delicious knitting retreat that you will enjoy in the comfort of your own home.

Having watched the previous seasons, we promise you that these are rich, immersive classes that provide a unique view of each teacher’s world and point of view.

Our class?

“The Secrets to Knitting Happiness.”

We’ve been daily knitters for two decades each.

We’ve been asked many variations on this question: how do you keep your enthusiasm for knitting so high? Why is knitting such a constant source of happiness for you?

For us, knitting is an ever-expanding journey of joy. That sounds corny, but it is the absolute truth.

We’ll share just about everything we can think of that will help you think about your knitting in new and inspiring ways. And bust a few myths that need busting!

Our fellow teachers?

It’s a gang of talented teachers and designers we admire so much.

We’ve published their patterns here at MDK. We’ve reviewed their brilliant books. We’ve knitted their patterns. And they’re all people we want to learn from ourselves, so we’ll be tuning in as closely as you will.

One thing you’ll notice: everybody lives all over the world. The only place in the universe you’ll find us together is during Knit Stars. Which is so cool. (And saves about a jillion bucks in airfare.)

Andrea Rangel: Victoria, British Columbia

Ann Budd: Boulder, Colorado

Ann and Kay: Nashville and New York City

Arne & Carlos: 170 km north of Oslo, Norway

Carson Demers: San Francisco, California

Cecelia Campochiaro: Silicon Valley, California

Christel Seyfarth: Farø, Denmark

Lorilee Beltman: Seattle, Washington

Mary Jane Mucklestone: Portland, Maine

Veera Välimäki: Helsinki, Finland

How will the classes work?

Knit Stars unfolds over a three-week period. Every other day, a new class will appear on the Knit Stars site, where you’ll be enrolled. You’ll be able to watch classes on your computer, your phone, your iPad—at any time of the day. You’ll have access to the classes and resources (including patterns and information downloads) forever, so you can return anytime to watch them. It’s immersive, and addicting, and fun.

How to enroll?

Will there be yarn?

Absolutely. And totally optional if you’re full up on yarn. When you enroll for Knit Stars, you’ll have access to a special online shop featuring special Knit-Stars-only kits. We worked with some of our favorite dyers—Freia Fine Fibers, Canon Hand Dyes, and Lichen and Lace—to create colors available only to Knit Stars enrollees.

In conclusion . . .

We’ve never taught an online class of any kind. A top-quality online class takes vision, and a village of talented people. It takes a deep understanding of both the subject matter and of video storytelling. When we met Shelley Brander, and saw what she and her team have done with Knit Stars, we were thrilled to be a part of it.

Knit Stars is something special: beautiful to watch, with terrific production values, so this is a really big deal for us.

We could not be more wound up! We hope you’ll join us.

Love,

Ann

PS Here’s the link for enrolling. Registration closes at the end of day November 1. And the series premieres on November 22, just as you finish your Thanksgiving turkey and are ready for a wonderful experience of laughing, learning, and knitting.

The path to knitting happiness? Keep knitting!

I’m so excited for Knit Stars. Your daily emails already support and inspire our creative spirits. Your segment is going to be wonderful. Knit Stars will see us through the gray chill days.

I’m still thinking and have shared with others how you built a community to all knit for Tia Coleman when there was nothing else to do.

Our city is reeling today from yesterday’s horrific hateful tragedy. A woman shot, in the hospital after surgery but her mother in her 90s shot and killed. Wondering how to begin to offer comfort through knitting. Maybe a healing shawl.
Ruth in Pittsburgh PA

I am so sorry that this horrible nightmare happened in your community. Living in Colorado, my daughter was in High School during Columbine. A devastating experience. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you and yours.❤️

Ann, the folks at NPR are thinking the same thoughts. As part of their piece this morning, they played that clip of Mr. Rogers “Look for the helpers.” The shooting happened in his neighborhood in Pittsburgh.

What a great Sunday morning treat . I so much enjoyed this video and learning about how Knit Stars got started. Shelley, you are amazing and so enthusiastic about the art, your addicting. wish you were here in New Jersey!!

I’m having spinal surgery on November 7th because I’ve lost sensation in both of my hands and I’ve been falling frequently. The issue with my hands is the worst because I’ve been a daily knitter for 3 decades. I am hopeful that I will be able to participate in the class, but the surgeon could only focus on the worst case scenarios. Typical surgeon and he has military training. So thanks for giving me something to look forward to and knit on ❤️

I had spine surgery two years ago…one of my legs had gone numb…fast forward to today I’m fine and pain free…complete sensation restored in my leg…pretty quickly after the surgery. It’s a long healing process…but there are good outcomes. Wishing you the very best for a speedy return to the needles.

I want to start using knitting to help with my despair over the events that seem to be happening all over. I thought I might try the Ann Weavers Squad Mitts pattern, but how can I purchase the Canon Hand Dyes Mini Skeins?